Cooperation in the chain
On September 18, breeding company Takii gave a presentation on the FloraPodium, presenting a number of varieties that they have put on the market. This included the Lisanthus Corelli line. As a result, we decided to visit Frank from Montana Lisianthus who produces the Corelli Rose and Corelli Delft Blue. We were very curious how he sees the cooperation as a grower with the breeder and how they can reinforce each other.
Since last year, Montana Lisianthus has a new greenhouse, which has greatly increased their cultivation surface. This allowed them to expand their assortment from 10 varieties to as many as 25 varieties. In the garden there is a bed with different test varieties. Here, among other things, growth, plant characteristics and vase life are tested.
Frank finds the feedback from his customers very important. He sees himself as a connector between the breeder and his customers. After 27 years of experience, he knows what the wishes of florists and the rest of the chain are. If he sees potential in a product, he sends a number of bunches to customers with a request to provide feedback. He then links these experiences back to the breeders.
With a number of breeders, Frank has built up a relationship of trust after all these years, which means his opinions and ideas count. Varieties that already existed have been tried again. New varieties can be planted fairly quickly, but it can take up to three years before enough seed is available to offer serious numbers. Sometimes a product is still very new and cannot be fully harvested for various reasons but Frank decides to put it on the market anyway. He then hopes for a good price, which can compensate for the lower numbers.
On the IPM of last year, Takii christened the Corelli Delft Blue. A two colored Lisianthus which Frank thinks has a lot of potential. Every bunch is different, because the color drawing in the different flowers varies. This makes it so special! 'Like it's painted by hand', just like the famous porcelain pottery.
Since last year, Montana Lisianthus has a new greenhouse, which has greatly increased their cultivation surface. This allowed them to expand their assortment from 10 varieties to as many as 25 varieties. In the garden there is a bed with different test varieties. Here, among other things, growth, plant characteristics and vase life are tested.
Frank finds the feedback from his customers very important. He sees himself as a connector between the breeder and his customers. After 27 years of experience, he knows what the wishes of florists and the rest of the chain are. If he sees potential in a product, he sends a number of bunches to customers with a request to provide feedback. He then links these experiences back to the breeders.
With a number of breeders, Frank has built up a relationship of trust after all these years, which means his opinions and ideas count. Varieties that already existed have been tried again. New varieties can be planted fairly quickly, but it can take up to three years before enough seed is available to offer serious numbers. Sometimes a product is still very new and cannot be fully harvested for various reasons but Frank decides to put it on the market anyway. He then hopes for a good price, which can compensate for the lower numbers.
On the IPM of last year, Takii christened the Corelli Delft Blue. A two colored Lisianthus which Frank thinks has a lot of potential. Every bunch is different, because the color drawing in the different flowers varies. This makes it so special! 'Like it's painted by hand', just like the famous porcelain pottery.
FloraPodium, 11 October 2018
